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Low Life Expectancy in Developing Country of Nigeria

Decent Essays
Life expectancy estimates the equivalent years in full health that a person can expect to live on the basis of the current mortality rates and prevalence distribution of health states in the population (W.H.O 2012). It has increased in the west; however, the same cannot be said for developing countries due to increase in diseases such as HIV/AIDS. This essay will look at the main causes of these problems and give possible solutions, taking Nigeria as a case study, where life expectancy is 52 years with a rank of 182 out of 194 nations (WORLD HEALTH REPORT 2000). It will conclude by arguing that media and government need to take a more active approach to tackle these problems in developing countries.
Nigeria has over 160 million people and one of the major problems effecting life expectancy is the HIV virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This is a virus that attacks the human body immune system and destroys the body’s defense mechanism, thereby making it vulnerable to other diseases and virus. Government claims an estimated 300,000 people die yearly of AIDS related diseases annually and over 1.5 million children are made orphans as a result. About 8 million people are expected to have the virus by 2012.Government officials say there has been prevalence in HIV from 1.8% in 1998 to 5.8% in 2001, 5.0% in 2003 and 4.4% in 2005(Nigerian HIV info 2006). Research shows that there are a lot of issues contributing to the rise in HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, poverty and
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